Here, we highlight the interior designers who are being honored as one of Architectural Digest Top 100 of 2014.
Below read what these clients said about them.

 
In his rise to the top of the design world, Tony Ingrao has amassed a portfolio that defies easy categorization. The Manhattan firm he heads with his partner, Randy Kemper, and architect Bryan Brown devises exquisite spaces that run the stylistic gamut from buttoned-up traditional to gleaming white modern, while catering to the tastes of high-wattage clients like ad guru Donny Deutsch, businessman Jack Welch, and radio personality Howard Stern. The company’s list of current projects is just as diverse: a Palladian-style house in Palm Beach, Florida; the Baccarat Hotel & Residences in New York; and a palace in Saudi Arabia. The dynamic Ingrao also designs gardens and oversees a gallery that pairs eye-popping artworks with superlative antiques perched atop illuminated pedestals. ingrao.com

Beth and Howard Stern
“The experiences we have had with Ingrao surpassed all of our expectations. The vision and the opportunities are unparalleled.”
—Beth and Howard Stern

The living room above from a Manhattan apartment with interiors by Randy Kemper and Tony Ingrao. (April 2007)

As a young graffiti artist in Paris, JR could hardly have imagined that he would one day transform landmarks with images of humanity—let alone empower thousands of people to express themselves. But when he found a camera on the subway, at the age of 17, and began posting blown-up snapshots of his peers on the buildings they might tag, he opened a dialogue about street art and its potential as an agent of change, a conversation that continues around the world today.
Over the past decade, JR, now 31, has graduated from underground talent to veritable superstar—known only by his initials but instantly recognizable in his uniform of trilby hat and sunglasses. For his breakout 2004–2006 series, “Portrait of a Generation,” the self-proclaimed photograffeur plastered the walls of the La Forestière housing complex in the Paris suburbs with images of local youth. When he won a prestigious TED Prize several years later, he used the attention to launch his “Inside Out” project, an initiative that has attracted roughly 250,000 participants in 140 countries. Its concept is simple and open-ended: Groups of five or more people e-mail the artist their portraits, which are then printed as 36-by-53-inch posters and mailed back to the creators to be used, however they see fit, in the spirit of a personal cause.

“You can find them in a museum in one country, and you might go to jail for posting them in another,” says JR, referring, respectively, to a 2011 installation at Paris’s Centre Pompidou and the grave risks that some Iranians took to place posters on the streets of Tehran. “Sometimes people are creating bigger projects than I’ve ever done.” That’s saying a lot given that JR has embellished the favelas in Rio, the security barrier in the West Bank, and the Panthéon in Paris, whose dome and interiors are currently lined with portraits of some 4,000 ordinary Frenchmen. At Ellis Island he recently installed archival images of immigrants in once-off-limits areas.
This fall JR plans to debut Les Bosquets, a documentary filmed on the streets of La Forestière that features New York City Ballet dancers (whom he previously photographed for a sexy­tableau displayed at Lincoln Center this past winter) performing choreography inspired by the 2005 Paris riots. With music by Pharrell Williams, the movie offers a glimpse into the history of not only the housing project but also JR’s practice. “For me the process of making art is much more interesting than the final piece,” he says. “My whole body of work is about the process.” For more information go to jr-art.net.

From Virginia Woolf’s country cottage to Ernest Hemingway’s Florida estate, the homes of great writers continue to captivate readers as spaces where great minds sought a tranquil retreat.

Yasnaya Polyana, Leo Tolstoy’s home inTula, Russia.

Virginia Woolf and her husband lived together in Monk’s House, a serene 17th-century clapboard cottage in East Sussex, England, from 1919 until her untimely death in 1941. Here she worked on such novels as Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse and also held her famous Bloomsbury Group 

In 1837, a year after his marriage, Charles Dickens moved to this Georgian terraced home in central London. It was here that he wrote Oliver Twist, making Dickens a household name throughout the city. In 1925 the house was converted into the Charles Dickens Museum, which holds some of the best relics from the writer’s life.

With the armistice between the Allies and the Germans signed in 1918, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s military service ended in basic training. In 1919 the unknown writer moved home to his parents’ house, Summit Terrace, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Young, ambitious, and full of nervous energy, Fitzgerald completed his first and, during his lifetime, most well-received novel, This Side of Paradise. 

In 1930, after a string of stories had sold, the eventual Nobel Prize laureate William Faulkner bought his house at Rowan Oak in Oxford, Mississippi. Six years after Faulkner’s death in 1962, the home was declared a National Historic Landmark.

 

 

In 1897 Edith Wharton published her first book, The Decoration of Houses (coauthored with Ogden Codman Jr.), in which she champions spirited interior design “as a branch of architecture.” Decorating the interior and surrounding grounds of the Mount (erected in 1902), Wharton took immense pride in the proportion, harmony, simplicity, and sustainability of her estate. The first woman ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, she became an influential figure in early-20th-century residential design as well

 

From 1874 to 1891, Mark Twain lived in this Victorian Gothic in Hartford, Connecticut, home with his young family. The top floor doubled as a billiards room and Twain’s writing study. It was here that the American master penned a few of his enduring works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

 

Fresh off the dramatic struggles of his father’s suicide and the emotional highs of his successful second novel, A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway moved his family to Key West in 1931. Completed in 1851, the Spanish Colonial estate—where the writer penned such legendary short stories as The Snows of Kilimanjaro and The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber—was built with local limestone. The home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

 

Earthy yet avant-garde, these alluring new furnishings are fresh takes on the great outdoors.

Inspired by the white sand beaches and azure blue waters of the French Caribbean, the new St. Barts Collection from New York–based furniture designer Andrianna Shamaris launched earlier this summer. The line consists of coffee tables, side tables, and dining tables (from $390 for a basic bench to $19,800 for a console table) made of reclaimed teak that is aged in the sun and sea air for at least 12 months and coated with an organic white wash. On select pieces, the wood’s natural crevices are infused with small puddles or large amounts of aqua-colored resin that is then cracked to resemble quartz crystal. (www.andriannashamarisinc.com)

Taking his cues from satellite imagery of Earth’s winding waterways, Washington-based furniture designer Greg Klassen crafts the one-of-a-kind pieces in his River Collection from discarded tree trunks. Each piece of wood is milled into slabs and dried in the open for three years before being fashioned into its final shape. Klassen’s designs range in size and function and include the rounded Nelson River Coffee Table ($5,800), the rough-edged Cedar Lake Table ($5,800), and the majestic Maple River Longhorn Dining Table ($10,500 for the 8-foot size). (www.gregklassen.com)

The new limited-edition Abyss Table (about $10,000) from the British design studio Duffy London depicts a topographic view of the ocean, revealing its varying depths through contrasting colors that range from dark blue to emerald green. Launched in July, the rectangular table measures more than 5 feet long and 2.5 feet wide; is made from sculpted glass and ethically sourced wood; and is limited to 25 models. Clients can choose the specific section of ocean that is depicted. Designer Christopher Duffy cites the color variation of factory glass as his inspiration. “I noticed how the material darkened as they added layers—the same way the sea does as it deepens,” Duffy says. “I wanted to use this effect to replicate a real piece of the earth’s sea bed . . . like a mythical power had lifted a perfect rectangle straight from the earth’s crust to use as his personal ornament.” (www.duffylondon.com)
– See more at: http://robbreport.com/home-and-design/whats-hot-cutting-edge-wood-designs#sthash.BkfD7Ggw.dpuf

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa –
Visitors have enjoyed these New Mexico hot springs for centuries. Solar power supplies some heat and rainwater supports irrigation. A spring-fueled geothermal system heats and cools buildings, there’s an on-site water treatment facility, and landscaping features native plants. New construction employs salvaged materials and low VOC paints. Bask in natural warmth, knowing the environment is well taken care of too.


El Monte Sagrado –
Luxury, color and natural materials abound at this Taos hotel. Plant-filled Biolariums house the pool and the Living Spa™, while recycled black and gray water fuel irrigation and a Ground Loop Heat Exchange System moderates building temperatures. Ponds also treat, store and disperse collected storm water. This beautiful hotel seamlessly incorporates environmental responsibility.


Adoba Hotel –
Eco-Platinum Rooms at this recently renovated South Dakota hotel feature wall-spanning murals on eco-friendly canvas and luxury bedding from natural materials. There’s eco-friendly carpet as well as water amplifying showerheads. Restaurant meals also utilize local and organic ingredients as often as possible.  No matter which room you choose the environment will thank you.


Allison Inn & Spa –
Portland’s LEED Gold-certified Allison offers gas fireplaces and earth tones in every room. There’s solar-heated water, photo voltaic cells generate seven percent of electricity, and ‘green eco-roofing’ covers the west wing. The hotel has also planted mature trees and created a 1.5 acre Chef’s Garden and Greenhouse. Green cleaners and energy efficient appliances foster environmentally sensitive surroundings.


Burnham Hotel, A Kimpton Hotel –
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this Chicago hotel couples 1895 touches with ‘green’ practices including extensive recycling, minimal water use and nontoxic cleaners. Certified by the Green Key Eco-Rating, and awarded for their eco-friendly focus, Kimpton’s booking codes allow guests to donate $10 of their room cost to an environmental organization.


Southwest Inn –
Named Best Sedona Arizona Hotel for four consecutive years, this adobe-walled property recycled materials during property renovation. Low water toilets, individual climate controls and a fireplace in every room are other green features. The hotel uses china plates and a timed drip system to water native plants while heat resistant roof materials and low reflectivity paint enhance accommodations.


Hilton Asheville Biltmore Farms –
This LEED Silver Certified hotel is the first new build LEED certified hotel among Hiltons in the U.S. There’s a large-scale solar water heating system, and conservation methods reduce water consumption considerably. Fryer oil fuels the biodiesel shuttle, while no bottled water and extensive composting keep this Hilton on the eco-friendly cutting edge.


The Hotel Griffon –
Voted ‘Best Boutique Hotel’ by San Francisco Magazine, this ‘green’ property offers gorgeous waterfront views. Eco-friendly bath products and recycled stationery are several green features. With Silver certification by Green Seal, Inc., Hotel Griffon offers recycling for guests and composts or donates leftover food. Climate-hardy plants and energy efficient building equipment enhance European-inspired surroundings.


Sandpearl Resort Clearwater Beach –
The state’s first Silver LEED certified resort offers electric car charging stations, donates leftover soap and shampoo for recycling and uses water-saving bathroom fixtures. Guests sleep amid low-emission construction materials and a chilled water air-conditioning system, while geothermal energy heats and ozone cleans the pool. This is beachside lodging with a green heart.


WaterColor Inn and Resort –
Beach-inspired colors decorate this AAA Four Diamond-rated resort. Recognized by the Florida Green Lodging Program, this property strives for optimal water use and conservation. It also employs reduced and improved energy use, as well as eco-friendly waste management and indoor air quality practices. Recently refurbished guest rooms offer casual luxury and green comfort.

Shipping containers meet a variety of requirements: Modern. Check. Low-cost. Check. Environmentally-friendly. Check. These homes  make them work.

Two shipping containers flank a taller common space in this residence designed by Studio H:T. The bedrooms are in the containers while the entry, dining, living, and a loft is in the center area. The project is planned to be off-the-grid using solar orientation, passive cooling, green roofs, pellet stove heating, and photovoltaics to create electricity.

Benjamin Garcia Saxe Architecture designed this orange container home for clients in San Jose, Costa Rica. The goal was to provide them with the spectacular views of the natural landscape. The roof between the two containers is made from the scrap metal.

Copenhagen-based architecture firm arcgency created the “WFH House” in Wuxi, China, out of three stacked shipping containers. Upcycled steel shipping containers were used for a steel frame, which was then clad with a sustainable bamboo facade. The home includes a rainwater collection system, solar cell-clad green roof, skylights, and permeable paving.

This structure, which was exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis is called the MDU, or Mobile Dwelling Unit, and was designed by Lot-EK. It is meant to travel with its dweller to long term destinations. When traveling, its sub-volumes are pushed in to fill the entire container, and then interlock so the container is left flush and can be shipped worldwide. When in use, the sub-volumes are pushed out, and its 500-square-foot interior is suitable for living and working.

Note the white corrugated wall; that should tip you off that this is the interior of a shipping container home. In fact, this Houston residence is composed of three containers, to make a total of 1,538-square feet of living space. Architect Christopher Robertson of local firm Robertston Design says one of the goals was to make it feel like a typical home.

The emerald green-accented Crossbox house in Brittany, France was designed by CG Architects. Two shipping containers are cantilevered above two more, and there’s a planted roof too. Like traditional setups, the bedrooms are on top and the living/dining spaces below.

Do you ever wonder why almost all disposable and reusable water bottles are round? I’ve always disliked that because they’re big and bulky and take up so much room in my bag. As people are moving away from the disposable, single use bottles, reusable ones are popping up more and more and everyone is trying to get ahead of the market. This one, actually made me pause and dig in to find out all about it. What is it? It’s memobottle, a slimline, BPA free, dishwasher-friendly, reusable bottle that resembles the size and shape of pieces of paper.

Memobottle comes in Letter, A4, and A5 sizes making them easy to slip into your computer bag or backpack right next to your computer or books. You have all the benefits of carrying around a bottle of water all day without the awkward bulk in your bag since it’s flat like everything else. It’s pretty genius!

It’s back-to-school time, and one great way to support your budding or independent reader is by creating a special place for curling up with a good book. Here you’ll find 10 ideas for setting up a cozy reading spot, organizing and displaying your child’s book collection, and more.

Add a reading loft for independent readers. What better place for escaping in a good book than a private lair up above it all? While younger kids should be supervised using ladders and lofts, older independent readers will appreciate the autonomy that comes with having their very own reading loft.

For younger kids, try a snug tepee. For a ground-level option, a tepee draped in twinkle lights makes a cozy spot in which to curl up with a good book. Cover the floor with a sheepskin and toss in a few pillows for extra comfort.

Make room to sprawl out on the floor. Help toddlers and preschoolers explore books by making the reading area as spacious and inviting as possible. Layered rugs make the floor more comfortable for sitting, and poufs provide flexible seating for kids or grown-ups.

Keep picture books handy. Preschoolers’ interests can change quickly — be ready by having clusters of picture books stored together in baskets or on shelves by subject. Then when the sudden obsession with sharks (or dinosaurs, princesses or pirates) kicks in, you can just grab the appropriate bin and be ready to go.

Turn a daybed into a reading nook. Built-in bookcases make this daybed an appealing spot for plopping down with a book. If you’re not looking to add built-ins, try flanking a freestanding daybed with a pair of bookcases for a similar look.

Curtains envelop this daybed reading nook — perfect for kids who like a little extra privacy when concentrating on a book.
For an even easier option, skip the frame and put a few big, cushy mattresses on the floor. Cover extra-large floor cushions or a twin-size mattress with tailored covers and add an armload of plump pillows.

Creating a reading nook does not need to be costly or elaborate to be well-loved and used. Take this cozy corner tucked beneath an eave for example — a fluffy blanket and a few plump cushions were all that was needed to transform a blank corner into a snug reading spot.

Entice with propped-up books. Take a cue from librarians and choose a few books to prop up on top of shelves to catch your child’s eye. This simple trick can make books more appealing — and more likely to be read.

Appeal to little ones by displaying colorful covers. Who says you can’t judge a book by its cover? For kids who cannot yet read, the picture on the cover is their main clue about what the book is about. Make things easier by displaying books on picture shelves, where your little one can quickly scan the covers of favorite books.

Keep books within reach of small hands. The smaller the child, the lower the shelves. For toddlers a book basket on the floor or a few picture shelves hung low on the wall are good options.

Fill a blank corner with books. Why let space go to waste, when you can set up a mini library? When using picture-shelf-style shelving that extends above the level of a child’s head, be sure to include guardrails (as shown here) to ensure that the books don’t topple down from above.

Encourage reading in bed. Get independent readers set for bedtime reading by including a bookshelf and a reading light near the bed. If siblings share a room, make sure each child also has a clip-on book light so reading can still happen after one has turned out the light.

What’s better, a homemade pizza cooked in three minutes or calling the local pizza place and waiting for a delivery that may take up to an hour?

The ability to separately adjust the fire flowing through both burners makes it possible to get that “just right” heat to authentically bake New York-, Chicago- or Neapolitan-style pies. The oven is versatile enough to bake breads, roast vegetables, meat or fish.
“We made this oven with two stones and two burners for an authentic and versatile cooking experience,” said Russ Faulk, vice president of product development for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet. “The stone on the baking deck is hollow to heat and cool quickly, the one in the ceiling is there to radiate heat back down to pizza toppings, which help create the blistered and leoparded crusts so key to Neapolitan-style pizza flavor.”
A new design aesthetic of linked circles updates the oven’s front and side panels. Designed to sit on an outdoor countertop, it is compact, measuring 30 inches wide by 30 inches deep by 20 inches high and 120 pounds. That size and weight also make it portable. The oven can be taken to the big game for the ultimate tailgate, to a friend’s house, even to the beach.
Built by hand in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and priced at $6,795, the oven is available through kalamazoogourmet.com, select dealerships and certified design professionals.

Cindy Crawford

Tom Brady

Ellen Degeneres

Ralph Lauren

Elton John

Sting

Patrick Dempsey